Washer unit and dryer unit combined in a unitary cabinet



5 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 7, 1964 M. J. VAN ALSTYNE ETAL WASHER UNIT AND DRYER UNIT COMBINED IN A UNITARY CABINET Original Filed May l5, 1962 f fn. ,L/ -L L. we@

far# h mil/v Arron/viv July 7, 1964 M. J. VAN ALsTYNE ETAL 3,139,744

WASHER UNIT AND DRYER UNIT COMBINED IN A UNITARY CABINET Original Filed May l5, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 l/v vi/vToRs 2720x2210 l Van /Jzyw dgl/iam Q Haai an THf/R ATYU'R/Viy July 7, 1964 M. .1. VAN ALSTYNE ETAL 3,139,744

WASHER UNIT AND DRYER UNIT COMBINED IN A UNITARY CABINET Original Filed May 15, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS 7195/2? ATToR/viy July 7, 1964 M. J. VAN ALSTYNE ETAL 3,139,744

WASHER UNIT AND DRYER UNIT COMBINED IN A UNITARY CABINET 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed May l5, 1962 July 7, 1964 M. J. VAN ALSTYNE ETAL ,3,139,744

WASHER UNIT AND DRYER UNIT COMBINED IN A UNITARI CABINET Original Filed May l5, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l .75.37 l5 Q y H ja /NVNTR 7720x2210 If. Van 024') )ze gl/)iam Q Ham" an United States Patent G 3,139,744 WASHER UNIT AND DRYER UNIT COMBINED 1N A UNITARY CABINET Martha J. Van Alstyne, Birmingham, and William A. Hanifan, Southfield, Mich., assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Continuation of application Ser. No. 194,949, May 15, 1962. This application July 11, 1963, Ser. No. 294,372 9 Claims. (Cl. 158-20) This invention relates to a domestic appliance and particularly to a unitary cabinet construction for installation in a utility or laundry room of a home for association with other cabinets or cupboards therein and is a continuation of our copending application Serial No. 194,949, filed May 15, 1962, and now abandoned.

It is a primary object of our invention to localize necessary equipment for lessening a housewifes task in washing and drying clothes or other articles during the process of laundering them and preparing same to be ironed.

Another object of our invention is to provide a unitary cabinet construction or appliance of a combined character having a clothes washing machine and clothes drying machine therein which reduces to a minimum steps to be taken by a housewife about a utility or laundry room in transferring clothes from the washing machine to the drying machine.

A further object of our invention is to group or compact usually separated and spaced-apart washing and dry- Y ing machines in a unitary cabinet to facilitate a housewifes carrying out of a laundering operation and which cabinet is of such size and configuration to save valuable oor space in a room, cooperate with other cabinets, work ledges or cupboards in the room so as to provide a symmetrical arrangement thereof which is neat in appearance.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a unitary laundering cabinet including an upper article drying machine and a lower top opening movable washing machine structure which is an integral component of the cabinet disposed in and closing an open front compartment thereof with its top opening normally inaccessible and concealed beneath walls of the drying machine or by walls of the cabinet and which washing machine is shiftable outwardly of the open front compartment to render the opening of the washing machine accessible exteriorly of the cabinet in front of the drying machine for placing clothes or the like therein to be washed and/or for removing clothes therefrom to be placed in the drying machine.

In carrying out the foregoing objects it is a more specific object of our invention to provide reversible hydraulic drive means for propelling or shifting a top opening washing machine structure disposed beneath a drying machine in a unitary cabinet part way out of an open front compartment of the cabinet to render the opening of the washing machine accessible from exteriorly thereof for loading clothes therein and for shifting the washing machine structure back in to the cabinet out of the way during a clothes washing and rinsing operation, and to also provide a safety device for the hydraulic means which will stop return movement of the washing machine structure into the cabinet in response to contact of an obstruction in the vicinity of the top opening in the shiftable structure with a portion of the device to thereby prevent injury to a wrist, arm or fingers of a hand of the user of the combined construction present thereat as the structure is returning to its compantment.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

ICC

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front View of a unitary cabinet construction constructed in accordance with our invention and containing a top opening washing machine structure located beneath a front opening drying machine;

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the cabinet construction with the washing machine structure therein and showing flexible conduits connecting the machine with a source of water supply under pressure and a waste water drain means thereof connected to a sewer drain pipe;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 2 and shows the washing machine structure shifted part way out of a compartment of the unitary cabinet to render the top opening of the structure accessible exteriorly of the cabinet;

FIGURE 4 is a top view of the unitary cabinet construction shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a horizontal enlarged sectional view taken 0n the line Sks of FIGURE 2 showing a reversible hydraulic drive means for shifting the washing machine structure to and fro the compartment of a cabinet construction;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5 illustrating a rack and pinion drive arrangement of the hydraulic means shiftably supporting the washing machine structure in a lower compartment of the cabinet;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 showing the rack and pinion arrangement in a position with the washing machine structure shifted part way out of the cabinet;

FIGURE 8 is a schematic view of the hydraulic washing machine shifting means together with an electric wiring circuit for controlling same;

FIGURE 9 illustrates a cylinder and piston portion of the reversible hydraulic shifting means;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIGURE 5 showing a combined roller and pinion associated with a rack of the hydraulic drive means within the lower portion of the unitary cabinet;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIGURE 5 showing a caster which supponts the front portion of the movable washing machine structure on a floor of a room upon which the cabinet construction rests; i

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary sectional view showing pockets adjacent rear corners in the box-like washing machine structure in which flexible water directing conduits are normally housed; and

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the line 13-13 of FIGURE 1 illustrating a safety device for the hydraulic drive means of the shiftable washing machine structure. Y

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate our invention, we show in FIGURES 1 to 4 thereof a partitioning wall 10 which forms on one of its sides a utility or laundry room 11 in a home or residence building having a unitary cabinet construction 12 supported on a floor 14 thereof in association with a source of cold and hot water supply pipes 16 and 17 under pressure of a conventional plumbing arrangement in the residence and a sewer drain pipe 18 leading to a sanitary underground sewer drain system. Pipes 16 and 17 are connected with a city water supply system under a pressure which in most localities ranges between 40 t0 60 pounds ptsi. Valves 21 and 22 are disposed in pipes 16 and 17 respectively to cut off the water supply to the appliance or cabinet 12 when necessary. Access to these valves may be had from a room adjacent room 11 through an opening in wall 10 normally closed by a movable door or the like 23. The unitary cabinet construction 12 includes a plurality of channel iron supported walls 24delining an article drying machine 25 in the upper portion thereof and sides of an open front compartment 26 below the drying machine. Machine 25 may be of any suitable or conventional design including a clothes tumbling drying drum 27 rotatably mounted therein and having a front access opening 28 normally closed by a door 29 hingedly secured on the front of cabinet 12 for horizontal swinging movement relative thereto. Clothes drying machines of the type illustrated are well known to those skilled in the art and a detailed description thereof is not herein necessary since it may be constructed according to conventional or more modern machines preferably in accordance with that more fully illustrated and described in the copending application of Laurence I. Mitter et al., Serial No. 818,160, now Patent No. 3,069,785, filed Iune 4, 1959, entitled Domestic Appliance and assigned to the assignee of this application. An article or clothes washing machine is disposed within the open front compartment 26 of cabinet 12 and this machine comprises a box-like structure 30 housing the machine and closing theY open front compartment 26. Controls for drying machine 25 and the washing machine are located on a front control wall or panel 31 of cabinet construction 12 (see FIGURE 1). Box-like washing machine structure 30 is atached to and partially supported in cabinet 12 and partially on floor 14 for shifting movement part way out of compartment 26 or to and fro the unitary cabinet construction. We contemplate shifting of box-like washing machine structure 30 manually or by electric drive means and preferably ydesire to effect its shifting by hydraulic driven means since Water under pressure is usually in the vicinity of such machine and can be readily utilized for this purpose. The washing machine. Within vbox-like structure 30 is of the top opening type well known to those skilled in the art and may be constructed in accordance with the machine more fully illustrated and described in the patent to K. O. Sisson No. 2,987,904, dated .lune 13, 1961, and the K. O. Sisson Patent No. 2,758,685 referred to therein. Such washing machinek includes an upright open top Water and clothes receiving tub or receptacle 33, having a reciprocating pulsator therein,l operatively or rotatably mounted' in the box-like structure 30, a water drain sump-or means 34-below tub or receptacle 33, water directing or 'exible conduit` means 36 and 37 communicating with or connecting the tub or receptacle 33, through a suitable water mixing valve 38, with water supply pipes 16 and 17 and a water directing or flexible conduit means communicating with or connecting the drain sump means 34 to the sewer drain pipe 18 (see FIGURES 3 and l2). A water discharge directing or flexible conduit means 41 (see FIGURE 12) also communicates with the sewer drain pipe 18 and is connected to a four-way valve o-f a reversible hydraulic drive means to be hereinafter described. For purposes of our invention each of the water directing or flexible conduit means 36, 37, 39 and 41 may be of any suitable or desirable form and can be a woven metal flexible rubber or the like covered hose which islooped and floatingly supported within channel housings or shrouds 43 and 44 located adjacent rear corners of box-like structure 30 (see FIGURE 12) for extension or extensive movement outwardly of an open back of the housings 43 and 44 (see FIGURE 3). The box-like structure 30 has a top wall 46 provided with an opening 47 therein (see FIGURE 4) leading to the interior of clothes Washing tub or receptacle 33. Opening 47 in the top of box-like washing machine structure 30 is normally concealed within hte unitary cabinet 12 by walls thereof and is inaccessible from exteriorly thereof. A suitable mechanism connected to tub or receptacle 33 and to the pulsator therein is located below drain pan or sump 34 in structure 30 for rotating the tub and for reciprocating the pulsator. This operative mechanism may be supported n a cross-shaped base 49 (.see; FIGURE of the box-like structure 30.

Unitary cabinet construction 12 is provided with an open metal base frame 51 (see FIGURES 5, 6 and 7), portions of which receive conventional vertically adjustable gliders 52 for supporting the cabinet on floor 14 and for leveling same thereon. There are two horizontally spaced-apart metal members 53 welded or otherwise rigidly secured to cabinet base frame 51 and which extend from front to rear of the cabinet construction 12 (see FIGURE 5). These members 53 are each provided with a smooth track portion 54 and a toothed rack 56. The base part 49 at the rear of box-like structure 30 carries a shaft 58 rotatably mounted in bearings 59 bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to the base part adjacent cut-out portions 61 therein and in a lower portion of the back wall of the structure. Unitary or combined wheels or rollers and pinion gears 62 and 63 respectively are mounted on shaft 58 and suitably keyed thereto for rotation therewithinthe bearings 59. Each combined roller and pinion gear is located above one of the members 53 so that the roller 62 is supported on the track portion 54 and the pinion 63 meshes with teeth of the toothed rack portion 56. thereof. At the front corners of box-like structure 30 there is a roller or caster 66 rotatably mounted in a bracket 67 rigidly bolted or welded to base part 49 of the structure (see FIGURE 11) and these casters project through cut-out portions 68 in the base part so as to be rollable along oor 14. Thus it is to be understood that the weight of the back portion of movable box-likey washing machine structure 30 is supported on the metal base frame of unitary cabinet construction 12 by wheels or rollers 62 and the weight of the front portion of structure 30 is supported by casters 66 on floor 14. Combined wheel-pinion gears 62 and 63 and rollers or casters 66 are preferably constructed or molded of hard plastic material in order to reduce friction between them and surfaces engaged thereby. A reversible hydraulic drive means, of which the caster 66 and combined roller pinions 62, 63 form a part, attaches box-like structure 30 to unitary cabinet 12. This hydraulic drive means or system includes a pair of horizontally spaced-apart cylinders 71 (see FIGURE 5) each containing a piston 72 secured to a rod 73 (see FIGURE 9) which passes through a suitably sealed packing gland nut 74 and each cylinder 71 is pivotally mounted at its one end to the box-like structure 30 by a stud 76 rigidly secured thereto. Piston rod 73 has its outer end 77 pivotally mounted upon a stud 78 rigidly secured to a bracket 79 welded to a metal channel iron of a wall 24 of unitary cabinet 12. The reversible hydraulic drive means, including the cylinders 71, piston rods 73 and rack and pinion means 56 and 63, attach the box-like washing'machine structure 30 to cabinet 12 for shifting movement to and fro the open front compartment 26 in the lower portion of the unitary construction.

A safety device, operated in response to contact therewith of an obstruction extending upwardly of the boxlike washing machine structure 30 at the opening 47 in its-top wall, is provided on the unitary cabinet construction 12 for a purpose to be hereinafter explained in describing control of the hydraulic system associated with cabinet 12. This safety device comprises a bar 81, forming a central part of a lower edge of control panel 31 on cabinet 10 (see FIGURES l and 13), which is pivotally mounted to a bracket 82 secured to the back side of panel or front wall 31. PivotedV bar 81 is above and adjacent to the path of opening 47 in the top wall 46 of structure 30 during shifting of the structure part way out of compartment 26 and back thereinto as will hereinafter be described. A metal piece 83 behind bar 81 is swingably mounted as at 84 on a casing 86 of an electric microswitch 87 for actutaing same to alter flow of electric current in an electrical circuit employed to control the hydraulic system associated with cabinet 12. A spring or springs 8S' interposed between bar 81 and a wall of the drying machine 25 above washing machinestruc.-

ture 30 is utilized to return the safety bar 81 to its normal position after being contacted and pivotally moved.

Referring to FIGURE 8 of the drawings we show power lines L1, L2 and N leading from a 220volt source of electric current supply to the unitary cabinet construction 12. All three of these lines extend to controls on panel 31 for the drying machine 25 from where lines extend from line N and line L1 and lead to the washing machine operating motor in box-like structure 30. Branch Wire 91 leads from line N and is attached to a wire 92 connected to one end of two solenoids 93 and 94 surrounding a shaft 96 of a four-way electrically actuated solenoid valve 97. Branch Wire 98 leads from line L1 to a contact on the microswitch 87 which has wires 101 and 102 leading from other contacts thereof. Wire 101 is connected to a two button or lever manually actuated switch 103, mounted on front panel 31 of cabinet construction 12 (see FIGURE 1), and wire 102 is connected to a wire 104 leading to the other end of solenoid 93 with a wire 105 leading from the other end of solenoid 94 back to a contact on switch 103. Solenoid actuated valve 97 may be of any suitable or conventional design well known to those skilled in the art and has a water inlet pipe 111 connected to cold water city pressure supply pipe 16 leading to a distributing charnber 112 in the valve regulated by a lirst piston 113 on the shaft 96, ends of which shaft are located in and surrounded by windings of the solenoids 93 and 94. A pipe connection 116 leads from valve 97 to one end of each cylinder 71 of the hydraulic system. Another pipe connection 117 leads from valve 97 to the opposite end of each cylinder 71. Movement of piston 113 and shaft 96 of solenoid controlled valve 97 alternately cuts off and establishes communication of water pressure from chamber 112 to pipe connections 116 and 117. Other pistons 118 and 119 spaced from piston 13 on shaft 96 of valve 97 control communication and noncommunication of pipes 116 and 117 with pipes 121 and 122 respectively leading to a pipe 123 which is connected to drain conduit 41 and to the sewer drain pipe 18.

In the schematic illustration of FIGURE 8 of the drawings the manually actuatable means or switch 103, at control panel 31, is shown as having been manually closed against the Contact thereof leading to wire 104 and current flows from power line L1 through wire 98, microswitch 87, wire 101, switch 103, wire 104 to solenoid 93 and from this solenoid back to power line N, through wires 92 and 91, to energize the solenoid 93 thus drawing shaft 96 and pistons 113, 118 and 119 in valve 97 to one end thereof or to its left end as shown in FIGURE 8. Since switch 103 is out of engagement with its other contact to which wire 105, leading from solenoid 94, is connected no current flows through solenoid 94 at this time. In this position of switch 103 pistons 113, 118 and 119 of valve 97 are located and held therein so that water under pressure from pipe 16 and pipe 111 is directed through chamber 112 and between pistons 113 and 119 to pipe 117 and into the one end of cylinder 71. Manual movement of switch 103 to the position thereof shown in FIGURE 8 thus causes pistons 72 in cylinders 71 of the hydraulic drive means to shift box-like washing machine structure 30 part way out of open front compartment 26 of the unitary cabinet construction 12 into the position shown in FIGURES 3, 4 and 7 of the drawings. During movement of pistons 72 in cylinders 71 to shift structure 30 water on the one side of the pistons is discharged through pipe 116, valve 97, intermediate pistons 113 and 118 thereof, pipe 121 and by way of pipe 123 and flexible conduit 41 to the sewer drain pipe 18. Also during movement of pistons 72 in cylinders 71 to shift structure 30 teeth on pinion gears 63 engage teeth on the rack 56 to guide the box-like structure forwardly and the wheels or rollers 62 on the pinion gears, supporting the rear portion of the structure on members 53, roll along the track 54 thereof while the casters 66, suporting the front portion of the structure, roll along floor 14 (see FIGURE 7). The pivotal anchorage 76 of cylinder 71 to the base 49 of structure 30 and the pivotal anchorage 77 of piston rod 73 provide a stop means for shifting movement of the structure 30 and also provide means for maintaining this structure attached to the unitary cabinet construction 12. With box-like structure 30 shifted part way out of compartment 26 of cabinet 12, as shown in FIGURES 3, 4, 7 and 8 of the drawings, the opening 47 in top wall 46 thereof, normally concealed by walls of the cabinet construction or beneath drying machine 25, is rendered accessible in front of the drying machine for placing clothing or other articles to be washed into the tub or receptacle 33 of the washing machine.

After loading tub or receptacle 33 switch 103 is adapted to be manually actuated to cause reversing of the reversible hydraulic means and return shifting of the boxlike structure back to compartment 26 of unitary cabinet construction 12 whereafter the controls of the washing machine on panel 31 are manipulated to create operation or automatic cycles thereof for washing, rinsing and spinning water out of the clothes. Actuation of switch 103 from the position thereof shown in FIGURE 8 to move it out of engagement with its contact connected to wire 104 into engagement with its contact connected to wire 105 deenergizes solenoid 93 and energizes solenoid 94. Electric current will then flow from line L1, through wire 98, microswitch 87, wire 101, switch 103, wire 105, solenoid 94, wires 92 and 91 back to the power line N to cause the solenoid 94 to draw shaft 96 of valve 97 to the righthand side thereof as viewed in FIGURE 8. This movement of water valve shaft 96 causes piston 119 thereon to uncover the inlet port of pipe 122 and provides cornmunication of pipe 117, leading from ends of cylinders 71, with pipes 122 and 123 to permit water to be discharged from the cylinders 71 through liexible conduit 41 to the sewer drain pipe 18. Simultaneously with this movement of valve shaft 96 pistons 113 and 118 thereon are also shifted in unison to permit water under pressure from pipe 16 to be directed by way of pipe 111, chamber 112 and pipe 116 into cylinders 71 behind pistons 72 therein for driving these pistons and their connecting rod 73 to the right-hand end of the cylinders, as viewed in FIGURE 8, to drive the box-like structure 30 back into `compartment 26. Such position of box-like structure 30 is desired, during cycle of clothes placed in tub or receptacle 33 thereof, so that the structure will be out of the way and not occupy floor space in front of the unitary cabinet construction 12. After completion of washing cycles of the washing machine box-like structure 30 switch 103 is again manipulated to shift same forwardly of cabinet 12 for rendering tub or receptacle 33 thereof accessible in front of drying machine 25, below door 29 thereon, to permit removal of washed clothes or the like from the tub or receptacle and placement of these clothes into tumbling drum 27 of the drying machine for heating and drying them therein. The reversibility of the hydraulic means and its control should be well known to those skilled in this art.

Our safety device in the present disclosure is adapted to prevent injury to a wrist, an arm or fingers of a persons hand in the vicinity of openings 47 in the top wall 46 of box-like structure 30 while same is being shifted or returned into compartment 26 of cabinet 12. It is to be understood that any other obstruction at opening 47 in top wall 46 of structure 30 as same is being returned to compartment 26 such as clothing or the like projecting upwardly from the top of structure 30 in the path of bar 81 and being impinged thereagainst will also render our safety device effective. In FIGURE 13 of the drawings we indicate, by dot-dash lines 125, an obstruction about to become wedged between opening 47 in top wall 46 of the washing machine structure nad safety bar 81 during return shifting of the structure 30. The obstruction 125 represents both examples here set forth and stopping of return shifting of structure 30 will now be explained in conjunction therewith. Assume that switch 103 has been manually actuated for causing the hydraulic drive means or system to shift box-like washing machine structure 30 back into compartment 26 and the obstruction 125, be it either of the types of obstructions mentioned, is at opening 47 in the path of bar 81. The bar 81 upon being contacted by the obstruction will pivot or swing into cabinet 12 about its pivotal mounting, against force exerted by spring 88, to shift metal piece 83 and actuate the microswitch 87. Button or lever of switch 87 upon being depressed or swung away from the contact thereof connected to wire 101 and into engagement with its contact connected to wire 102, not only immediately stops rearward shifting or return movement of box-like structure 30 into compartment 26 of cabinet 12 but also causes reversal of the reversible hydraulic drive means which changes the direction of movement of structure 30 to shift it forwardly of the unitary cabinet construction. In other words, at any time switch 103 is in engagement with its contact connected to wire S, to cause return shifting of structure 30, and bar 81 is engaged by an object to swing it, the microswitch 87 takes over control of the hydraulic drive means or system to stop return movement of the box-like washing machine structure and to cause movement thereof outwardly of compartment 26,

Having described our invention, it should be apparent that we have provided a compact unitary cabinet construction having two independently operable domestic appliances or machines therein the access to the interior of one of which is normally concealed by the other and inaccessible from exteriorly of the construction. Our unitary appliance or cabinet ts into the general or usual arrangement of other cabinets or cupboards Within a utility or laundry room and cooperates therewith to provide a symmetrical plan thereof to group laundering equipment into a sin'gle unit therein which occupies less floor space in the room and thereby reduces or minimizes steps necessary to be taken by a housewife about the room. Since the washing machine structure is, after being loaded with soiled or dirty clothes, returnable into a compartment of our unitary cabinet construction, either manually or by the hydraulic means disclosed, for carrying out the washing operation of the clothes, it therefore is not in the way of movements of a housewife about or along an aisle in the laundry or utility room during completion of other chores therein by her. In the arrangement disclosed a housewife can stand at one place, such as at a side of the outwardly projected washing machine, and may without stooping transfer clothes from the top opening washing machine into the front opening clothes drying machine.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

l. In combination:

(a) a unitary cabinet construction including walls providing an article drying machine member within the upper portion thereof and a compartment therebelow having an open side,

(b) said cabinet construction being associated with a source of water supply under pressure,

(c) an article washing machine member disposed in said compartment beneath said drying machine member attached to said unitary cabinet construction and forming a permanent component thereof which is movable relative thereto,

(d) said washing machine member comprising a boxlike structure closing the open side of said compartment and having an open top water receiving article washing receptacle operatively mounted therein,

(e) water conducting means connected to said source 8 of Water supply and communicating with said receptacle for directing water thereinto,

(f) the top wall of said box-like structure of the washing machine member having an opening therein leading to said open top receptacle,

(g) the opening in said top wall of said box-like structure of the washing machine member being concealed by walls of said drying machine member and normally inaccessible from exteriorly of the unitary cabinet construction,

(h) reversible drive means interposed between said cabinet construction and the movable box-like washing machine member adapted to shift said washing machine member part way out of said compartment while attached to the cabinet and while said water conducting means remains in communication with said receptacle,

(i) actuable means for rendering said drive means effective whereby the shifting of said washing machine member exposes the opening in said top wall of the box-like structure thereof outwardly of said drying machine member and provides access to said receptacleV therein,

(j) said actuatable means also being operable to reverse said drive means and return shift said box-like washingV machine member back into said compartment,

(k) a safety device on one of said members located adjacentfthe path of said opening in the top wall of said box-like washing machine member at least during the return shifting thereof, and

(l) said safety device being operated automatically in response to impact therewith of an obstruction in the vicinity of the opening in said top wall of the box-like structure of said washing machine member for stopping return shifting movement thereof into said compartment.

2. Thel combination defined by claim l wherein the safety device upon stopping returnmovement of the washing machine member substantially simultaneously causes the drive means to shift said washing machine member outwardly away from the cabinet construction.

3. The combination dened by claim 1 wherein the safety device is on a stationary part of the unitary cabinet construction above and adjacent the path of the open-ingV in the top wall of the box-like washing machine member.

4. In combination:

(a) a unitary cabinet construction including walls providing an article drying machine member within the upper portion thereof land a compartmentthere-below having an open side,

(b) said cabinet construction being associated with a source of Water supply under pressure,

(c) an article washing machine member disposed in said compartment beneath said drying machine member attached to said unitary cabinet construction and forming a permanent component thereof which is movable relative thereto,

(d) said washing machine member comprising a boxlike structure closing the open side of said compartment and having an open top water receiving article washing receptacle operatively mounted therein,

(e) water conducting means connected to said source of water supply and communicating with said receptacle for directing water thereinto,

(f) the top wall of said box-like structure of the washing machine member having an opening therein leading to said open top receptacle,

(g) the opening in said top wall of said box-like structure of the washing machine member being concealed by walls of said drying machine member and normally inaccessible from exteriorly of the unitary cabinet construction,

(h) hydraulic drive means interposed between said cabinet construction and the movable box-like Washing machine member adapted to be operated solely by pressure of water in said source of supply thereof,

(i) means connecting said hydraulic drive means with said water supply to effect shifting of the movable box-like washing machine member part way out of said compartment while yattached to the cabinet and while said water conducting means remains in communication with said receptacle, and

(j) the shifting of said washing machine member outward of the compartment exposing the opening in said top wall of the box-like structure thereof outwardly of said drying machine member to provide access to said receptacle from the exterior of said unitary cabinet construction.

5. In combination:

(a) a unitary cabinet construction including walls providing an article drying machine member within the upper portion thereof and a compartment therebelow having an open side,

(b) said cabinet construction being associated with a source o-f water supply under pressure,

(c) `an article washing machine member disposed in said compartment beneath said drying machine member attached to said unitary cabinet construction and forming a permanent component thereof which is movable relative thereto.

(d) said washing machine member comprising a boxlike structure closing the open side of said compartment `and having an open top water receiving article washing receptacle opeartively mounted therein,

(e) water conducting means connected to said source of water supply and communicating with said receptacle for directing water thereinto,

(f) the top wall of said box-like structure `of the washing machine member having an opening therein leading to said open top receptacle,

(g) the opening in said top wall of said box-like structure of the washing machine member being concealed by walls of said drying machine member and normally inaccessible from exteriorly of the unitary cabinet construction,

(h) reversible hydraulic drive means interposed between said cabinet construction and the movable box-like washing -machine member adapted to be operated solely by pressure of water in said source of supply thereof,

(i) means for controlling said hydraulic drive means,

(j) said control means normally being in a position establishing .communication of one part of said hydraulic means with said source of water supply to maintain said box-like washing machine member within said compartment,

(k) said control means being operable to terminate communication of said one part of said hydraulic means Iwith said water supply and for establishing communication of yanother part thereof therewith to effect shifting of said box-like washing machine member part way out of said compartment while attached to the cabinet and while said water conducting means remains in communication with said receptacle,

(l) the shifting of said washing machine member outward of the compartment exposing the opening in said top wall of the box-like structure thereof outwardly of said drying ymachine member to provide access to said receptacle from the exterior of said unitary cabinet construction, yand (im) said control means also being operable to terminate communication of said another part of said hydraulic means with said water supply for reestablishing communication of said one part thereof to effect shifting of said box-like washing machine member back into said compartment.

6. In combination:

(a) a unitary cabinet construction including walls pro- 10 viding an article drying machine member within the upper portion thereof and a compartment therebelow having an open side,

(b) said cabinet construction being associated with a source of water supply under pressure,

(c) an article washing machine member disposed in said compartment beneath said drying machine member attached to said unitary cabinet construction and forming a permanent component thereof which is movable relative thereto,

(d) said washing machine member comprising a boxlike structure closing the open side of said compartment and having an open top Water receiving article Washing receptacle operatively mounted therein,

(e) water conducting means connected to said source of water supply and communicating with said receptacle for directing water thereinto,

(f) the top wall of said box-like structure of the Washing machine member having an opening therein leading to said open top receptacle,

(g) the opening in said top wall of said box-like structure of the washing machine member being concealed by walls of said drying machine member and normally inaccessible from exteriorly of the unitary cabinet construction,

(h) reversible hydraulic drive means interposed between said cabinet construction and the movable box-like washing machine member adapted to be operated solely by pressure of water in said source of supply thereof,

(i) said hydraulic drive means being rendered effective to shift said washing machine member out- Ward of said compartment for exposing the opening in said top wall of the box-like structure thereof outwardly of said drying machine member to provide access to said receptacle from the exterior of said unitary cabinet construction, and

(j) said hydraulic drive means also being: rendered effective to return shift said box-like Washing machine member back into said compartment.

7. In combination:

(a) a unitary cabinet construction including walls providing an article drying machine member Within the upper portion thereof and a compartment therebelow having an open side,

(b) said cabinet construction being associated with a source of water supply under pressure (c) an article washing machine member disposed in said compartment beneath said drying machine member attached to said unitary cabinet construction and forming a permanent component thereof which is movable relative thereto,

(d) said washing machine member comprising a boxlike structure clos-ing the open side of said compartment and having an open top water receiving article Washing receptacle operatively mounted therein,

(e) water conducting means connected to said source of water supply and communicating with said receptacle for directing Water thereinto,

(f) the top Wall of said box-like structure of the Washing machine member having an opening therein leading to said open top receptacle,

(g) the opening in said top wall of said box-like structure of the washing machine member being concealed by walls of said drying machine member and normally inaccessible from exteriorly of the unitary cabinet construction,

(h) reversible hydraulic drive means interposed between said cabinet construction and the movable box-like washing machine member adapted to be operated solely by pressure of water in said source of supply thereof,

(i) means for controlling said hydraulic drive means,

(j) said control means normally being in a position establishing communication of one part of said hy- 1 1 draulic means with said source of water supply to maintain said box-like Washing machine member within said compartment,

(k)` said control means being operable to terminate communication of said one part of said hydraulic means with said water supply and for establishing communication of another part thereof therewith to effect shifting of said box-like washing machine member part way out of said compartment while attached to the cabinet and while said water conducting means remains in communication with said receptacle,

(l) the shifting of said washing machine member outward of the compartment exposing the opening in said top wall of the box-like structure thereof outwardly of said ydrying machine member to provide access to said receptacle from the exterior of said unitary cabinet construction,

(m) said control means also being operable to terminate communication of said another part of said hydraulic means with said water supply for re-establishing communication of said one part thereof to effect shifting of said box-like washing machine member back into said compartment,

(n) a safety device on one of said members located adjacent the path of said opening in the top wall of said box-like washing machine member at least during the return shifting thereof, and

(o) said safety device being operated automatically in response to impact therewith of an obstruction in the vicinity of the opening in said top wall of the box-like structure of said washing machine rnernber for stopping return shifting movement thereof into said compartment.

8. The combination defined by claim 7 wherein the safety device upon stopping return movement of the washing machine member substantially simultaneously causes the drive means to shift said washing machine member outwardly away from the cabinet construction.

9. In combination:

(a) a unitary cabinet member including walls defining an article drying machine within the. upper portion thereof and a compartment therebelow having an open upright side,

(b) said cabinet member adaptedv to be associated with a sourcel of water supply,

(c) an article washing machine member disposed in said compartment beneath said drying machine and movably attached to said unitary cabinet member for movement between an operating position in said com- 12 partment and a loading position outside the compartment,

(d) said washing machine member comprising a boxlike structure closing the open upright side of said compartment and having an open top water receiving article washing receptacle mounted therein and operable when said washing machine member is in said operating position,

(e) Water conducting means adapted to be connected to said source of water supply and communicating with said receptacle for directing water thereinto,

(f) the top wall of said box-like structure of the washing machine member having an opening therein leading to said open top receptacle,

(g) said opening in the top wall of said box-like structure of the washing machine member being concealed by walls of said unitary cabinet member and normally inaccessible from eXteriorly thereof when said washing machine member is in said operating position,

(h) said box-like washing machine member being shiftable part way out of said compartment and back thereinto While attached to the cabinet member and while said water conducting means is connected to said water supply and communicating with said receptacle,

(i) a safety device on one of said members,

(i) said device being located adjacent the path of travel of said washing machine member at least during return shifting thereof into said operating position, and

(k) the safety device preventing return movement of said washing machine member back into said compartment whenever an obstruction exists intermediate said cabinet member and the opening in said top wall of said box-like structure of the washing machine member.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,106,619 Merrill Jan. 25, 1938 2,783,622` Candor Feb. 26, 1957 2,866,273 Geldhof Dec. 30, 1956 3,011,327 Brownell Dec. 5, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 129,357 Sweden Sept. 12, 1950 131,550 Australia Feb. 28, 1949 222,407 Australia June 30, 1959 556,569 Italy Feb. 6, 1957 

9. IN COMBINATION: (A) A UNITARY CABINET MEMBER INCLUDING WALLS DEFINING AN ARTICLE DRYING MACHINE WITHIN THE UPPER PORTION THEREOF AND A COMPARTMENT THEREBELOW HAVING AN OPEN UPRIGHT SIDE, (B) SAID CABINET MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH A SOURCE OF WATER SUPPLY, (C) AN ARTICLE WASHING MACHINE MEMBER DISPOSED IN SAID COMPARTMENT BENEATH SAID DRYING MACHINE AND MOVABLY ATTACHED TO SAID UNITARY CABINET MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN AN OPERATING POSITION IN SAID COMPARTMENT AND A LOADING POSITION OUTSIDE THE COMPARTMENT, (D) SAID WASHING MACHINE MEMBER COMPRISING A BOXLIKE STRUCTURE CLOSING THE OPEN UPRIGHT SIDE OF SAID COMPARTMENT AND HAVING AN OPEN TOP WATER RECEIVING ARTICLE WASHING RECEPTACLE MOUNTED THEREIN AND OPERABLE WHEN SAID WASHING MACHINE MEMBER IS IN SAID OPERATING POSITION, (E) WATER CONDUCTING MEANS ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO SAID SOURCE OF WATER SUPPLY AND COMMUNICATING WITH SAID RECEPTACLE FOR DIRECTING WATER THEREINTO, (F) THE TOP WALL OF SAID BOX-LIKE STRUCTURE OF THE WASHING MACHINE MEMBER HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN LEADING TO SAID OPEN TOP RECEPTACLE, (G) SAID OPENING IN THE TOP WALL OF SAID BOX-LIKE STRUCTURE OF THE WASHING MACHINE MEMBER BEING CONCEALED BY WALLS OF SAID UNITARY CABINET MEMBER AND NORMALLY INACCESSIBLE FROM EXTERIORLY THEREOF WHEN SAID WASHING MACHINE MEMBER IS IN SAID OPERATING POSITION, (H) SAID BOX-LIKE WASHING MACHINE MEMBER BEING SHIF 